Santa Monica State Beach
The scoop: The city's long stretch of sand, with a bike path, volleyball courts, and paid beach lots.
- Price
- Free (parking paid)
- Hours
- The city treats the beach as sunrise to sunset. The official park page also lists clock times (6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. when fetched), so treat those as a seasonal snapshot and confirm the day you go. Beach parking lots have their own hours.
- Best for
- Beach, Swimming, Bike path, Volleyball, Families
- Address
- 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90404
The scoop
This is Santa Monica's main public beach, more than three miles of sand managed by the city with California State Parks. You come for the water, the volleyball courts, and the paved path along the shore. It's free to walk on; the beach lots are not.
What to do
Walk or sit on the sand, swim where Los Angeles County lifeguards are staffing the towers, and use the walking path that runs parallel to the bike path. Volleyball courts are generally first come, first served; the city takes advance permits by email if you need to lock one in. The Santa Monica Pier sits in the middle of the stretch if you want a separate stop.
When to go
The city describes the beach as sunrise to sunset. The official park page also posts clock times, so confirm before you go, especially in summer, when sunset is much later than a 5 p.m. listing. Summer, Friday and Saturday, and holiday weekends are the busiest, and the lots fill. Go earlier on a weekday if you want an easier time parking.
Who it's for
Anyone who wants a classic Santa Monica beach day — sand, water, and a long, flat path. It's a family beach, but it's not a quiet one when the lots are full.
Kids: A good pick with young kids. There's room to run, restrooms with outdoor showers, and a walking path for strollers. Stay near a staffed lifeguard tower, and don't bring a dog — they're not allowed on the sand.
Insider tips
- Central beach lots are $20 a day April–October, then $8 weekdays and $12 weekends November–March. Northern lots are cheaper in summer ($12 weekdays, $15 weekends). Disabled placards are half the posted rate. Lot 1 North, at 1550 PCH, lists 6 a.m.–2 a.m.; many other lots list 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Restrooms with outdoor showers sit north and south of the Pier, open daily 6 a.m. to dusk on the city's Community Services list.
- Dogs aren't allowed on the sand. E-scooters aren't permitted on the beach bike path, Ocean Front Walk, or the Pier.
- County lifeguards staff the towers seasonally; follow their direction in the water.
- As of Nov 2026, Pier Bridge work at Ocean and Colorado can close Ocean Front Walk under the bridge on weekdays, 5 a.m.–1 p.m. The Pier stays open.
Skip it if…
You want to bring a dog, or you don't want to pay for a beach lot on a busy summer weekend.